Electrical switch and interlocking casing



B. D. HORTON.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND INTERLOCKING CASING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1?. I918. RENEWED MAR. 9.1922.

1,41 2,467. Patented pr. 11, 1922'.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

TTORNEY INVENTOR B. D. HORTON.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND INTERLOCKING CASING. APPLICATION- FILED MAY '17. 1918- RENEWED MAR.9,1922.

1,412,467. Patente r. 11 2.

'ETS-SH IN yENTQR 'ATTORN EY BLD. HORTON.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND INTERLOC'KING CASING. APPLICATION FILED MAY 1'7. 191s. RENEWED MAR. 9.1922;

1,412,4 7, Patented Apr. 11, 1922'.

3 SHEET$SHEET3.

. INVEN fi 0w QTORZ ATTORNEY first opening the switch.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrica.

BRYSON DEXTER HORTON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

Application filed May 17, 1918, Serial No. 235,068. Renewed March 9, 1922. Serial No. 542,485.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BRYSON DEXTER HOR- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Switches and Interlocking Casings, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forms a complete and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to electrical switch of the general type having an enclosing casing of metal or other suitable material, insu ated from the electrical portions of said switches, of the general type known as armor clad switches. I

One of the objects of my invention is to equip a switch of this general type with an interlocking cover whereby under normal conditions it is impossible to open the cover of such switch casing or housing without These switches perform a very desirable function in that they protect workmen or others who have occasion to operate such switches from contact with the live electrical parts, for under normal conditions, before such cover can be opened, the switch is thrown to an off position, and the exposed electrical parts, which may be reached when the cover is opened, are rendered dead and safe. Switches of this general type, equipped solely as stated above, have the defect that it is impossible to inspect such switch, while the switch is in closed position, for it is always necessary to open such switch beforesuch inspection can be made. It will be seen, therefore, that when an inspection or test is made, it is necessary to interrupt the consumers power.

It is, therefore, a further object of my invention to so design the interlocking mechanism that such mechanism may be temporarily rendered ineffective by an authorized person suitably equipped with a key or similar means whereby access may be had to the interior of the casing while the switch is closed and also whereby the switch may be closed while the cover is open. It will, therefore, be seen that a suitably equipped authorized person may inspect the switch mechanism without interfering with the customers power, as he may then open the box or casing without first opening the switch.

It is a further object of this invention to so arrange the parts of this armor clad switch that, upon the completion of the test, the interlocking may be again rendered effective.

' It is a further object of this invention to so design armorclad switches that the switch may be permanently locked in an off position, if so desired.

It is a further object of this invention to provide for the external operation of such enclosed switch.

It is a further object of this invention to so design the casing and switch mechanism that the switch can not be closed while the cover is in open position.

It is a further object of this invention to generally simplify the construction of armorclad switches and yet to so arrange and proportion the parts that a very rugged and practically foolproof structure results.

Three of the many possible embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters denote similar parts.

Referring to such drawings,

Fig. 1 represents an end. view of one type of interlocking armorclad switch showing" the switch and operating mechanism in on position and the cover interlocked.

Fig. 2 is a side view of such switch showing in full lines the operating mechanism in such position that the switch is in on position and interlocking mechanism rendered ineffective, and in dotted lines the off position of such operating mechanism.

Fig. 3 shows a second form of such switch and is an end view corresponding to that shown in Fig. 1.

' Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detailed view showing the means whereby the interlocking mechanism may be rendered ineffective. 7

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary. view of the reverse side from that shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a third form of armor-clad switch showing the switch operatin mechanism in on position and the cover thereby interlocked and showing in .dotted lines the operating mechanism in off position and locked in such off. position; and

.Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detailed view of the means whereby the interlocking of the cover and switch mechanism may be rendered ineffective.

Referring now to the form of invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, 1 represents the main or body portion of the casing and 2 the top hin edly connected therewith at 3. Such hinged top may be permanentlylocked in closed position through the med1um of the apertured projecting member 4 wh ch passes u wardly from the bottom portion 1 throng an opening in the top 2 and 1s adapted to receive a padlock or other suitable means 5. opening of the box a handle 6 is provided. The electrical switch mechanism is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and is indicated in general by the reference character '7. This switch mechanism may be of any preferred type, such as a quick-break double-throw fused multiple-bladed switch, or any other desired type. The operating mechanism for externally operating such switch comprises a pair otpivoted levers 8 communicating with such interior enclosed switch through apertures in the side of the casing, which apertures form the pivotal points of such levers 8. These levers 8 have upstanding portions 9 with cooperating portions 10 slidably related thereto by means of guiding slots 11 and guiding pins or rivets 12, whereby it la'i possible to extend such upstanding arms a material extent, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the cover 2 may be opened, as there is then provided suflicient room for the upward swing of said cover 2. In order to hold such slidably related arms in their contracted or shortened position as shown in Fig. 1, a padlock 13 is provided having its hook or bail-shaped portion 14 passing through aligning openings 15 on one pair of such slidably related arms. The other pair of such slidably related arms may be provided with any suitable form of snap catch, such as shown at 15, and ma comprise an upstruck portion fitting within a small recess and thereby serving to releasably hold said sliding arms 9 and 10 in their contracting relation, as shown in Fig. 1. By the above described simple mechanism a number of desirable results may be secured, such, for example, as an interlocking cover and switch mechanism with means whereby such interlocking may be rendered temporarily ineffective by removing the padlock 13. Also, it will be seen that it is impossible to close such switch when the cover is in open position, as the cover is then directly in the path of the arms 9 and 10. It is,to be understood that any suitable handle. such as shown at 16, may be provided for rocking the arms into operative and inoperative positions. \Vhen it is desired to lock the switch in off position, such switch operating means is thrown to the extreme limit of its stroke in the off position and the cover 2 is then locked by means of a padlock 5 passing through the In order to facilitate theapertured portion 4. From an inspection of the drawings, it will be seen that the padlock 5 lies in front of and directly in the path of motion of these pivotal levers or arms 9 and 10- and thereby prevents the closing of said switch.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the armorclad switch is of the same general type as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and previously described. This modified construction differs from that formerly described in the means for rendering the interlockin temporarily ineffective. In this modi cation the arms 18 and 19 have a slight amount of sliding renoted that the lower end of the arms 18 I clear the guidin and locking shoulders 22 provided on the Iower arms 19. Such arms 18 may then be turned about the pins 21 in the manner of a hinge and may be passed or swung down beyond the extreme end of the top of the box and thus allow the top of the box or casing to be opened, whereby access may be had to the switch while the switch is in closed or on position. To temporarily lock such arms 18 and 19 so that they 'will be in operative or interlocking relation with the cover, a padlock 23 is provided whose hook or bail-shaped portion passes through aligning openings carried in lugs 24 provided on one pair of the members 18 and 19. The same results are secured by this construction as were described in connection with the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, which show a third or modified form of construction, it will be seen that such modification differs from that formerly described in the manner in which the pivoted arms 25 and 26 are related.

On one side of such arms 25 and 26 are joined through the medium of a hinge 27 and on the other side the arm 25 is provided with a slot 28 through which passes an apertured portion 29 carried by the arm 26. A padlock 30 is adaptedlto have its hook or bail-shaped portion pass through the apertured member 29 and thereby lock such arms 25 and 26 in position so that they will be in interlocking relation with the cover or box of the casing.

\Vhen it is desired to inspect the; interior of the casing while the switch is in on position in this modification, the padlock 30 is removed and the upper arms 25 are moved or swung to the left hinging at 27 and thereby are completely removed from the path described by the opening cover of the casing.

In both of the modifications the switch may be locked in off position in a manner similar tojthat shown and described in refer ence to Figs. 1 and 2.

It will. be readily understood from the above detailed description that a number of desirable interrelated functions are secured by the very simple and rugged mechanism shown and described.

lVhile the modifications above referred to have been described and shown in the drawing in detail, it is to be understood that such description and showing is to be interpreted in an illustrative sense and not in a limited sense except as hereinafter set forth in the following claims 1. An enclosed switch comprising a casing provided with a cover an inverted U shaped member for operating such switch straddling the cover, when the switch is closed and thereby normally "interlocking said switch and cover and means for temporarily rendering said interlocking means ineffective whereby the cover maybe opened while the switch is closed.

2. An enclosed switch comprising a casing provided with a hingedcover, an inverted U shaped member for operating such switch straddling the cover whenthe switch is closed and thereby normally interlocking said switch andcover and means for temporarily rendering, said interlocking means inefiective whereby the cover may be opened while the switch is closed.

3. An enclosed switch comprising a casing provide with a cover, an inverted U shaped member for operating such switch straddling the cover when the switch is closed and thereby normally interlocking said switch and cover, said U shaped member having telescopic side members whereby said side members may be temporarily elongated and the cover opened while the switchis closed.

4. An enclosed switch comprising a casing provided with a hinged cover, an inverted U shaped member for operating said switch straddling the cover when the switch is closed, and thereby normally interlocking said switch and cover, said U shaped member having telescopic side members. whereby said side members may be temporarily elongated and the cover opened when the switch is closed.

, 5. An enclosed switch comprising a casin provided with a cover, an inverted U shape member for operating said switch straddling the cover when the switch is closed and thereby normally interlocking said switch and cover, said U shaped member having telescopic side members whereby said side members may be temporarily elongated and the cover opened when the switch is closed and means for locking said telescopic side members in shortened position.

6. An enclosed switch comprising a casing provided with a cover, an inverted U shaped member for operating said switch straddling the cover when the switch is closed and normally interlocking said switch and cover, said U shaped member having telescopic side members provided with guiding slots and pins whereby said side members may be temporarily elongated and the cover opened when the switch is closed.

7. An enclosed switch comprising a casing provided with a cover, an inverted U shaped member for operating said switch straddling the cover when the switch is closed and thereby normally interlocking said switch and cover, said U shaped member having telescopic side members whereby said side members may be temporarily elongated and the cover opened when the switch is closed, one of said telescopic side members having aligning openings and a cooperating lock whereby said side members may be lockec in shortened position. I

8. An enclosed switch comprising a casing provided with a cover, an inverted U shaped member for operating said switch straddling the cover when the switch is closed and thereby normally interlocking said switch and cover, one of the arms of said U shaped member having a hinge formed therein whereby the U shaped member may be swung out of the path of said cover and the cover opened while the switch is closed.

9. An enclosed switch comprising a casing straddling the cover when the switch is closed' and thereby normally interlocking said switch and cover. one of the arms of said U shaped member having a hinge formed therein whereby the U shaped member may be swung out of the path of said cover; and the cover opened while the switch is closed.

IQ} An enclosed switch comprising a casingprovided with a cover, an inverted U shaped member for operating said switch straddling the cover when the switch is closed and thereby normally interlocking said switch and cover, one of the arms of said U shaped member having a hinge formed therein whereby the U shaped member may be swung out of the path of said cover and the cover opened while the switch. is closed, and means for locking said U shaped member in straddling position.

11. An enclosed switch comprising a casing provided with a cover, an inverted U shaped member for operating said switch straddling the cover when the switch is closed and thereby normally interlocking said switch and cover, one of the arms of said U shaped member having a hinge formed therein whereby the U shaped member may be swung out of the path of said cover and the cover opened while the switch is closed. and means on the other arm of said U shaped member whereby said U shaped member may be locked in straddling position. i

12. An enclosed switch comprising a casing provided with a cover, an inverted U shaped member for operating said switch straddling the cover when the switch is closed and thereby normally interlocking said switch and cover, one of the arms of said U shaped member having a hinge formed therein whereby the U shaped member may be swung out of the path of said cover and the cover opened while the switch is closed, the other of said arms having aligning openings and a cooperating lock whereby said U shaped member may be locked in straddling position.

13. An enclosed switch comprising a casing provided with a cover. an inverted U shaped member for operating said switch normally straddling said cover when the switch is closed, both arms of said U shaped member having a pivotal joint therein whereby said U shaped member may be swung out of the path of the cover.

14:. An enclosed switch comprising a casing provided with a cover, an inverted U shaped member for operating said switch normally straddling said cover when the switch is closed, both arms of said U shaped member being telescopic and pivotally formed whereby said U shaped member may be moved out of the path of the cover and the cover opened while the switch is in closed position.

15. An enclosed switch comprising :1. casing provided with a cover, an inverted U shaped member for operating said switch ing provided with a cover, an inverted U a shaped member for operating said switch normally straddling said cover when the switch is closed, both arms of said U shaped member being both telescopic and pivotally formed whereby said U shaped member may be moved out of the path of the cover and the cover opened while the switch is in closed position and means forlocking said U shaped member in o erative osition.

BRYSON DE TER ORTON. 

